Animal feeder

ABSTRACT

An animal feeder has a base in which food or water may be placed, a cover for the contents of the base, and a detector for the presence or absence of an animal and a mechanism for opening the cover or allowing it to close according to the relative movement between a first cam associated with the cover and a second cam responsive to the detector

This invention relates to an animal feeder.

When supplying an animal with food, it is often desirable for the foodto be made accessible to the animal at any time over an extended period.Depending on the environment, this can lead to problems. These problemsmay include the tendency of the food to dry out, or to become stale; orthat it becomes contaminated by flies, dust or splashes. For thesereasons, it is desirable to provide the food with a cover, which caneasily be removed when the animal wishes to obtain access to the food.

Cats, for example, often prefer to leave food for future consumption,and they may be very particular about the condition of the food whenthey decide to eat.

An animal feeder will be described below, by way of example inillustration of the invention, which is economic, simple to operate, andeasily cleaned. Furthermore, although it is particularly suitable fordomestic animals, which are typically sensitive, it is also suitable forlivestock, and attractive for use in some wildlife applications.

In a particular animal feeder to be described below, by way of examplein illustration of the present invention, a container for an animal'sfood or liquid has a protective cover, which is normally closed, butwhich is operated to enable the animal to have access to the food orliquid when the animal pushes on a pedal. The feeder cover closesautomatically when the pressure is removed from the pedal. Thepedal-operated cover swings upwards to open in the particular feeder tobe described.

It is desirable that the animal's action should not cause the mechanismto move in a jerky, noisy, or unexpected way, so that it discouragesfurther use of the feeder. This is particularly important if the feederis to be used by hard-to-train animals such as cats. Thus, it isdesirable that the cover of the container should not start to open toorapidly. Even more important, perhaps, is that at the end of themovement of the opening of the cover no excessive noise is created, andthat the base of the feeder is not caused to move significantly.Similarly, the closure of the cover must be reasonably smooth,draught-free, and quiet.

The following description and drawings disclose, by means of examples,the invention which is defined in the appended claims, whose termsdetermine the extent of the protection conferred hereby.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an animal feeder,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the feeder shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic end view of the feeder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 shows at (i) and (ii) diagrammatic side views of an alternativecounter-balanced cover for a feeder,

FIG. 5 is a series (i) to (iv) of diagrammatic partial sectional viewsfor use in describing a way of assembling a cover to the base of afeeder,

FIG. 6 shows at (i) to (iv) a series of diagrammatic partial side viewsfor use in illustrating a cam operating feature of a cover for a feeder,and

FIG. 7 shows at (i) and (ii) diagrammatic partial side views of anextended pedal operating arrangement for a cover.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there areshown a food container 1 forming a base and having a cover 2. The cover2 is pivoted for rotation with respect to the container 1 about an axisor fulcrum 3 defined by a rod 4 which is carried by the container orbase 1. An extension 5 from the cover 2 passes beneath and is curvedaround the rod 4 in order to locate the cover 2 for rotation about therod 4, as best seen in FIG. 5.

A pedal 6, which has a wide central portion 7 and side arms 8 is shownwith short studs 9 extending inwardly from the arms 8 for location inslots or grooves 10 in respective sides of the container base 1 wherebythe pedal is able to pivot about the studs 9 resting at the bottom ofthe slots or grooves 10 in the container base 1. The food container 1has a central depressed region in which food, water, or other liquid canbe placed.

The ends of the side arms 8, which are remote from the wide centralportion 7 of the pedal 6, have cam portions 11 with smoothly curved camsurfaces 12 at their edges which cooperate at 24 with curved camsurfaces 13, of cam portions 14 depending from the cover 2. The camsurfaces 13 have a part 15 which is oppositely curved from the remainderand which, as will be described below provides a braking action.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the cover 2 extends at its sides 16 over the camportion 14, that serve to retain the studs 9 in the slots 10, althoughit is not necessary to have these side portions 16.

Referring to FIG. 4, there are shown at 4(i) and 4(ii), side views of analternative form of cover 2 a that includes an extension for acounterweight 17 thereby modifying the position of the centre of gravityof the cover such that the closing moment reduces as the coverapproaches closure. At 18 there is shown the fulcrum of the cover 2 a,about which it pivots with respect of the base 1, and at 19 the centreof gravity of the cover 2 a is indicated. The counterweight 17 may bepermanent, or interchangeable to enable different mechanical effects tobe provided, or it may be omitted.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there are illustrated diagrammatically in 5(l)to 5(iv) successive steps in the assembly and operation of the cover 2on the base 1.

In FIG. 5(i) the cover 2 is shown being lowered, as indicated by anarrow 20, until the curved extension 5 rests upon the rod 4, as see inFIG. 5 (ii). The cover 2 is then rotated about the rod, as indicated byan arrow 21 in FIG. 5 (iii) until it rests upon the top of the containeror base 1. The views are diagrammatic and do not show the cam portion14.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the cover 2 is shown in 6(i) resting around itsrim on the rim of the base 1. The curved cam portion 11 on the side arm8 of the pedal 6 is shown resting on the curved cam surface 13 of thecam portion 14.

A construction line 23 shown on the drawing extends at right angles tothe point of contact 24 between the cam surface 13 and the cam surface12 and provides a datum line for measuring the distances from the line23 to the fulcrum 3 of the cover 2, and the pivot point 9 of the arm 8,which are indicated by y and x respectively.

The relative movement of the line 23 and of the contact point 24, duringan opening movement of the cover 2 resulting from the action of thepedal 6, will now be described reference to FIGS. 6(i) to 6(iv).

The drive from the pedal 6 to the cover 2 can provide a gradual startand end to the motion of the cover 2. In the arrangement beingdescribed, the motion of the cover 2 to open the container 1 iscontrolled by a rolling and sliding contact between the cam surface 12of the cam 11 on the pedal lever 6 and the cam surface 13 on the cam 14forming a part of the cover 2. The construction of these rolling andsliding surfaces 12 and 13 is such that the amount of slippage is small,minimising the amount of work required to overcome friction. To derivethe relative rates of motion of the pedal 6 and the cover 2, referenceis made to the construction line 23 normal to the (moving) contact point24 between these two cam surfaces. The relative rate of angular movement(cover:pedal) is equal to the ratio of the (shortest) distances (x:y)between the line 23 and the pedal 6 fulcrum Wand the cover 2 fulcrum 3respectively. The amount of slippage between the cam surfaces 12 and 13can be kept low by ensuring that the cam contact point 24 remainsreasonably close to the line joining the pedal fulcrum the cover fulcrum3. The shape of the cam surfaces 12, 13 thus allows fine control to beprovided of the movement of the cover 2, including the ability to stopthe motion of the cover 2 by reversing the direction of the controllingmoment on the cover 2. In the particular arrangement being describedthis capability may be understood from the following description.

With the cover 2 closed (FIG. 6(i)), the line 23 is relatively far fromthe fulcrum 3, the cover 2, (i.e. ‘y’ is large) and so a relatively highmechanical advantage is maintained. Then, as the cover 2 starts to open,the initiating force required to move the pedal 6 downwards is low andthe speed of opening is minimised. Once started (FIG. 6(ii)) the valueof ‘y’ reduces; and the value of ‘x’ is reasonably constant, themechanical advantage is thus reduced, and the cover 2 is openedrelatively rapidly. Shortly before the motion of the cover is requiredto stop (FIG. 6 (iii)), the mechanical advantage reduces further. Theextent of this reduction is at such a level that the accelerating forceon the cover 2 is rather small, and the resistance to motion of thepedal 6 becomes significant. Finally (FIG. 6(iv)), the line 23 passesvery close to the fulcrum 3 for the cover 2 and the opening momentbecomes near to zero (so that any further movement of the pedal dependsprimarily on its resilience), and the oppositely curved part 15 at theend of the cam surface 13 provides a stop to the movement of the cover2. The reduction in the opening forces applied to the cover 2 to thebraking effect of the part 15 of the cam surface 13 minimises noise andjarring forces on the base 1 of the feeder. In the arrangement shown,releasing the pedal 6 allows the cover 2 to close under its own weight.Alternative methods to drive and restore the cover 2 can include the useof springs, and of linkages coupled to the pedal 6, for example.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown an extension platform 26 which ishinged or otherwise loosely connected at 27 to the pedal 6 to provide aramp which rests at its end 28 on the ground, or on an extension fromthe base 1. The connection 27 may be provided by pins on the pedal 6which slide in a slot in side portions of the platform 26, so that, asan animal climbs the ramp provided by the platform 26, the platform 26pivots about its point of rest at its end 28 on the ground or on theextension from the base 1, and slides on the ground. The extension 26 isconstructed from a number of sections optionally hinged together, in onealternative arrangement.

In another arrangement the ramp section or extension platform 26 is usedto assist in training the animal and subsequently removed. For trainingpurposes the platform 26 may initailly be comparatively long, and itslength may be reduced according to the progress of the training. Thusthe ramp, or extension platform 26 may be made of a series ofinterlocked sections.

Furthermore, provision may be made to hold the cover 2 open beyond aparticular location during the training procedure, for example by meansof a peg and holes in relatively moving parts, such as the pedal 6 andthe container base 1.

Advantageously, to minimise the number of holes, the level of restraintmay be made to depend on the orientation of the peg. While the hole andthe inserted part of the peg may be round, there is advantage in theirbeing formed to fit in specific orientations only. This would reduce therisk that the pegs would unintentionally rotate during use. Marking ofthe orientations and positions would make it simple to make thereduction of the height of the opening progressive. Particularlysuitable shapes for the sections of such orientation keys includeregular polygons, because their shapes can ease both moulding andcleaning. When the cover is constrained from closing, the methodsdescribed above to avoid disturbance during closing will not be fullyfunctional. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide means toadjust the balance of the cover, so that the cover does notautomatically close itself during the critical part of the trainingperiod.

During the training period, it may well be beneficial to restrict accessto the feeder to the side from which the pedal extends, for example byplacing the feeder within a box or bay having three sides.

It will be appreciated that the particular arrangement described is madefrom three parts, which may be taken apart easily for cleaning.

The use of a cover 2 with low inertia, for example a transparentlightweight plastics material, has various benefits. For example, itallows the contents of the container to be seen and it assists inslowing the rate at which the cover closes.

The control of the movement of the cover 2 may also effected by thecounterbalancing effect of the cam portions 14. In the arrangement ofFIG. 4, the centre of gravity 19 of the cover 2 is below its fulcrum 18when the cover 2 is closed. This result may be achieved either by thedimensioning of the parts of the cover 2, or by employing thecounterbalance weight 17. By these means both the opening and theclosing forces applied to the cover 2 may be carefully controlled.

It will be appreciated that other forms of linkage between the pedal andthe cover, including the use of springs and levers may be employed.However, the comparatively simple drive via cam surfaces is preferred,due to its simplicity and ease of cleaning, and the fact that it gives arolling and sliding action with a minimum of slipping giving a gradualstart and finish to the movement of the cover 2.

The amount of slippage between the cam surfaces 12 and 13 can beminimised by ensuring that the cam contact point remains reasonablyclose to the line joining the fulcrum of the pedal and the fulcrum ofthe cover.

The container base 1, may have sections for specific foods or liquids,or it may be designed to employ separate containers for the food andliquid, which are removable.

Provision may be made beneath the food container section of the base 1for means to regulate the temperature of the container, for example iceblocks.

Other means than a pivoted pedal which is operated physically by ananimal may be employed to actuate the cover 2. For example, the cover 2may be opened and closed using an electrically powered mechanism. Such amechanism may be caused to open or close the cover 2 according to thedetection or absence of an animal. Various forms of sensor, includingheat detecting, pressure sensitive and capacitive, or using optical,sound, or infrared technology may be used to detect the presence orabsence of an animal and to control the operation of the electricallypowered mechanism.

It will be appreciated that although in the particular arrangementdescribed there is provided a braking surface part 15 on the cam surface13 which is directed oppositely to the remainder of the surface 13, itis possible to provide a braking surface part on the cam surface 12which follows a different curve from that of the remainder of thesurface 12.

A sensor which is specific to a characteristic of a particular animal,or to a characteristic of a device carried by a particular animal, maybe used to ensure that the feeder cover is opened or closed according tothe presence or absence of the particular animal only.

There has thus been described, by way of illustration, in onearrangement, an animal feeder that has a base, a cover pivoted to thebase with a cam at one end, and a lever, or a system of levers, thatcouples or couple the cover to a pedal, one of the levers incorporatinga cam that is in contact with the cover, whereby, when the pedal isdepressed, the cover opens.

It is preferred that the interface between the cam on the cover and thecam that contacts it should be a rolling and sliding contact wherein thecontact between the cams is maintained sufficiently close to a linejoining the fulcrums controlling the two cams that the sliding part ofthe motion minimises the wear and the frictional loss resulting from thecontact. A pedal lever pivoted to the base may be used to drive thecover without the aid of intermediate levers. In one arrangement, thelever that drives the cover directly is pivoted at one end to the baseand at the other to a further lever that acts as a platform or pedallever, the other end of the platform or pedal lever being either free toslide on the surface that supports the base of the feeder, or beingprevented from sliding relative to the base.

In the particular illustrative arrangements described the cover swingsupwards around a fulcrum that is provided near to the end of the feederremote from the pedal. It is preferred that the rolling-sliding contactbetween the cover and the cam that drives it should be such that themotion of the cover begins gradually. Furthermore, the driving moment onthe cover preferably becomes low as the cover approaches its fully openposition. The rolling sliding contact between the cam on the lever andthe cover limits the opening of the cover in a preferred arrangement byreversing the direction of the controlling moment on the cover. Bymaking the inertial mass of the cover sufficiently small it is possiblethat it experiences an air damping effect which is significant inslowing its motion. The provision of resilience and or absorbency in thepedal, in the lever and or in the cover helps to minimise jarring whenthe cover is held in its fully open position. The balance of the coverin the illustrative arrangements described causes it to dose whenpressure is removed from the pedal.

Another feature of the particular illustrative arrangement that has beendescribed is that the line joining the fulcrum of the cover to itscentre of gravity should become nearly vertical as the cover closes. Theeffect of the air damping of the cover mentioned above may be enhancedby means of a lip around the edge of the cover, or the edge of the basewith which the cover cooperates, so that the effect of air damping ismaximised when the feeder is nearly dosed. Resilience may be provided tothe base or to the cover in the region where the base and cover makecontact only when the feeder is substantially closed.

It will be appreciated that the base of the feeder may be used directlyas a container for food and/or drink, and/or that space may be providedin the base of the feeder for supplementary containers for food and/ordrink

Such a container may provide separate sections for different foods,and/or for food and for drink. Furthermore, space may be provided in thebase of the feeder in which ice, cold-blocks or some other coolingmechanism may be provided for the food/drink. Such space may ideally beimmediately underneath a food/drink container.

The feeder which has been described by way of example may readily beassembled and disassembled for ease of cleaning, and the key parts ofthe feeder may be made from dishwasher-proof material.

In one arrangement, means is provided to prevent the cover from closingin order to assist in training the animal or animals in the use of thefeeder, and more than one setting for a minimum opening of the cover ispossible, determined for example by the insertion of a peg or pegs intothe base of the feeder. The adjustment of the size of the opening of thecover may be achieved by placing a peg into one of a selection of holesin the base of the feeder. The adjustment of the size of the opening isachieved in one arrangement by virtue of the orientation of a peg in thehole or holes.

In such an arrangement the hole or holes and the peg are so made thatthe peg will not rotate while it remains inserted in the hole(s). Thecross-section of a hole and of the inserted section of the peg areregular polygons in one arrangement. Marking may be provided in order toease the identification of the extent of the minimum opening.

It is possible, in one arrangement to modify temporarily the balance ofthe cover so that it does not automatically close when the pressure onthe pedal is removed.

The pedal arrangement may include a ramp hinged or jointed to the usualpedal, this ramp being so arranged that the animal will climb the rampmore easily as the animal approaches the bowl of the feeder, therebyopening the cover of the feeder.

A pedal arrangement is able to operate without the ramp. The ramp may beused to assist in training and put to one side thereafter. The length ofsuch a ramp may be adjusted according to needs, and the length of theramp may be progessively reduced by the removal of a section orsections, during training. The ramp in one arrangement is made fromsections, at least some of which may be easily assembled anddisassembled.

The removal of the sections may be effected by breaking them from theramp, or from sections of the ramp, and the sections may be of unequallength, and be used in different combinations. It is possible for morethan one section to be suitable as the immediate driver for the pedal.

Means may be provided that allow the animal to approach the feeder fromone or more desired directions only. The direction of approach may beconstrained by screens attached to the feeder and the screens may beremoved when not required.

In one arrangement the direction of approach is constrained by placingthe feeder in a bay. Such a bay may be constructed from the packaging inwhich the feeder was transported or displayed, and the packaging may beso designed that its use as a bay does not significantly impair itssubsequent reuse as packaging for the feeder. It will be appreciatedthat the cover for the food is preferably made from transparentmaterial, so that the food can be seen by the animal and that the basehas a non-slip lower surface or non-slip and resilient feet.

In the particular arrangements described by way of example inillustration of the invention, the cam surfaces 12 and 13 are both shownas being curved. However, it is not essential for the surfaces 12 and 13to be of the shape shown. They may have some other shape giving thenecessary cooperative action which results in the cover 2 being openedand closed, as required. One or both of the cam surfaces may, forexample, be plane. In one arrangement, instead of a cam surfaceassociated with a pedal 6 being simply rotated in operation about afixed pivot point 9 as a result of pressure on the pedal 6, the pedalmay have a sliding movement with respect to the base 1, and cause anassociated cam surface which may be partly plane to slide along a linearpath over at least a part of its movement.

It will be understood that, although particular arrangementsillustrative of the invention have been described by way of example,variations and modifications thereof, as well as other arrangements maybe made within the scope of the appended claims.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. An animal feeder including a base for a containerfor food, a cover for the container, the cover having an outer surface,a pedal arranged for operation in response to a force exerted againstthe pedal by a body part of an animal, a first cam having a firstoperating cam surface which is an extension of an outer surface of thecover and a second cam having second operating cam surface which iscoupled with the pedal and movable in response to the body part of theanimal depressing the pedal, the first and second cam surfaces being inengagement, whereby movement of the second cam surface in a firstdirection in response to the body part of the animal depressing thepedal causes the cover to open the container and movement of the secondcam surface in a second direction opposite to the first direction inresponse to the body part of the animal no longer depressing the pedalcauses the cover to close the container.
 13. An animal feeder as claimedin claim 12, wherein the first operating cam surface of the first camand the second operating surface of the second cam are outside thecontainer.
 14. An animal feeder as claimed in claim 13, wherein theoperating cam surface of the first cam and the second operating surfaceof the second cam are arranged to roll upon each other to provide forsmooth and regular movement of the cover throughout its movement betweenthe open and closed conditions of the container.
 15. An animal feeder asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the operating cam surface of the first andthe second operating surface of the second cam are arranged to roll uponeach other to provide for smooth and regular movement of the coverthroughout its movement between the open and closed conditions of thecontainer.
 16. An animal feeder as claimed in claim 12, wherein at leasta part of the cover is transparent, the transparent portion beingarranged for enabling the animal to see the contents of the containerwhile the cover closes the container, and wherein the cover has a centerof gravity below the fulcrum when the cover is closed and when the coveris open.
 17. An animal feeder as claimed in claim 12, wherein the coveris dimensioned so as to have a center of gravity below the fulcrum whenthe cover is closed and when the cover is open.
 18. An animal feeder asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the cover includes a counterweight forcausing the cover to have a center of gravity below the fulcrum when thecover is closed and when the cover is open.
 19. A cat feeder including abase for a container for food, a cover for the container, the coverhaving an outer surface, a pedal arranged for operation by a foot of acat, a first cam having a first operating cam surface which is anextension of an outer surface of the cover and a second cam havingsecond operating cam surface which is coupled with the pedal and movablein response to the foot of the cat depressing the pedal, the first andsecond cam surfaces being in engagement, whereby movement of the secondcam surface in a first direction in response to the foot of the catdepressing the pedal causes the cover to open the container and movementof the second cam surface in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection in response to the cat no longer depressing the pedal causesthe cover to close the container.
 20. The cat feeder as claimed in claim19, wherein at least a part of the cover is transparent, the transparentportion being arranged for enabling the cat to see the contents of thecontainer while the cover closes the container.
 21. The cat feeder asclaimed in claim 19, in which the first cam operating surface of thefirst cam is curved in one direction over at least a part of itssurface, and is pivoted for rotation with the cover.
 22. The cat feederas claimed in claim 19, in which the second cam is rotatable about apoint on the base.
 23. The cat feeder as claimed in claim 19, in whichat least a part of the movement of the second cam is along a linearpath.
 24. The cat feeder as claimed in claim 19, in which the cover isrotatable with respect to a fulcrum on the base and in which when thecover is closed, the point of engagement between the first and secondcams is relatively far from the fulcrum, and in the open position of thecover the point of engagement between the first and second cams isrelatively close to the fulcrum.
 25. The cat feeder as claimed in claim24, wherein the cover includes a counter balance to the movement of thecover.
 26. The cat feeder as claimed in claim 19, in which the pedalincludes a hinged extension.
 27. The cat feeder as claimed in claim 19,wherein the cover is made from a low inertia lightweight plasticsmaterial.
 28. The cat feeder as claimed in claim 19, in which at least apart of the cover is transparent, the transparent portion being arrangedfor enabling the cat to see the contents of the container while thecover closes the container.
 29. A cat feeder as claimed in claim 19, inwhich one of the first operating cam surface of one of the first cam andthe second operating surface of the second cam has a driving surfacepart and a braking surface part.
 30. A cat feeder as claimed in claim24, wherein at least a part of the cover is transparent, the transparentportion being arranged for enabling the cat to see the contents of thecontainer while the cover closes the container, and wherein the coverhas a center of gravity below the fulcrum when the cover is closed andwhen the cover is open.
 31. A cat feeder as claimed in claim 24, whereinthe cover is dimensioned so as to have a center of gravity below thefulcrum when the cover is closed and when the cover is open.
 32. A catfeeder as claimed in claim 24, wherein the cover includes acounterweight for causing the cover to have a center of gravity belowthe fulcrum when the cover is closed and when the cover is open.